Winning in Atlanta is nothing new for Kirby Smart. His first-ever win as a head coach came in Atlanta when Georgia beat North Carolina 33-24.

Smart and the Bulldogs will once again open the season in Atlanta, as Georgia takes on Clemson on Saturday. The game will be played in Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Saturday will be the 11th game that Georgia has played in Mercedes-Benz Stadium since the building opened.

“I feel like we always have great turnout when we play in the Benz. I like Mercedes-Benz,” Georgia edge rusher Mykel Williams said. “I like the stadium, I like playing there. Our fans show up and show out so I feel like we have an advantage.”

Despite the proximity to Atlanta, Georgia hasn’t had great success in Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The Bulldogs are 5-5 in the building. Four of those losses have come in the SEC championship game, with Georgia dropping the 2018, 2019, 2021 and 2023 SEC Championship Games. Georgia also lost the 2018 National Championship Game to Alabama in the building.

For comparison, Georgia is 88-9 under Smart in games played outside of Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Smart and Georgia are 0-4 against Alabama in Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Against every other team, the Bulldogs are 5-1.

The Bulldogs have had much more success against non-conference foes in Atlanta. Georgia is 3-0 in non-conference games in the building. The Bulldogs won the 2022 season-opener against Oregon, with Georgia winning 49-3. The Bulldogs also have wins over Cincinnati in the 2021 Peach Bowl and Ohio State in a College Football Playoff semifinal.

The 2016 game against North Carolina, played in the Georgia Dome, was another fond memory for Smart in Atlanta. Georgia is also 4-0 against Georgia Tech when that rivalry is played at Bobby Dodd Stadium. Smart is 12-5 in his career in Atlanta.

Georgia has played at least one game in Atlanta every season under Smart. Mercedes-Benz Stadium could become a second home for Georgia in 2024, with the Bulldogs potentially playing as many as four games in the building. The SEC championship game, one of the College Football Playoff quarterfinals and the national championship game will all be played in Atlanta this year.

But Smart and his team haven’t begun to think that far ahead. First up is a Clemson team that is more than capable of beating Georgia. The Tigers come into the game ranked as the No. 14 team in the country.

Saturday’s Aflac Kickoff Game between the two rivals should have a championship feel to it.

“It should be an awesome environment,” Smart said. “I have so much respect for the Kickoff Classic game, Gary Stokan and his staff, Aflac is near and dear to my heart. They’ve done a tremendous job in our state. For them to take over this cause, I think it’s a great event. To have two teams like this, it’s going to be awesome.”

Kirby Smart record in Atlanta